View from the Wing

Why Airlines Should Charge Passengers to Use the Lavatory

by Gary Leff on December 1, 2018

Dec 01 2018

Whenever Ryanair is out of the news their CEO Michael O’Leary talks about making passengers stand (to cram more people onto planes) and making them pay to use the lavatory. In the U.S. pay toilets are illegal in many states but those prohibitions wouldn’t apply to airlines since they’d be pre-empted by the federal Airline Deregulation Act.

UK pay toilets are often cleaner than free ones. Would airlines charging for lavatories give us better lavatories? Would they give us bigger lavatories since they’d become a profit center?

Small Hotel Room Toiletries Will Be Illegal in One California City

by Gary Leff on December 1, 2018

Dec 01 2018

Santa Cruz, California will be the first place in the country to ban miniature toiletry bottles.

The ordinance was unanimously approved by the county’s Board on November 20th. It returns to the board for final approval on December 4 and will go into effect December 31, 2020.

What it Takes to Get a Free Frontier Airlines Meal and Several Rewards Cards Considering Changes

by Gary Leff on December 1, 2018

Dec 01 2018

A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.

Hyatt’s New SLH Properties – By Redemption Category. Are They a Good Deal?

by Gary Leff on December 1, 2018

Dec 01 2018

Hyatt has launched its partnership with SLH hotels offering points and elite credit earning on paid stays, and points redemptions.

More options for where to use your points are better. Full stop. And there are some lovely properties included in this portfolio. This gives members more nice places to use their points.

What’s Behind Higher Spending Requirements for Elite Status and Special Treats Coming to Centurion Lounges

by Gary Leff on December 1, 2018

Dec 01 2018

A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.

If You Can’t Stand Each Other Please Don’t Fly Together

by Gary Leff on November 30, 2018

Nov 30 2018

Right before Thanksgiving an American Airlines flight from Washington DC to Los Angeles had to divert when a husband and wife wouldn’t stop fighting. A flight attendant separated them, moving the husband to the back of the aircraft. However his wife followed and things escalated. I figured the guy must’ve said the wrong thing about his mother-in-law.

Now it seems another couple fought on board an American Airlines flight on Wednesday and caused the pilot to divert.

Now That United is Introducing Premium Economy,, How Are They Handling Awards and Upgrades?

by Gary Leff on November 30, 2018

Nov 30 2018

United announced that international premium economy will go on sale on Monday for certain flights starting March 30, 2019 and that it will expand to 21 routes by the end of May.

That makes the question of how upgrades are going to be handled most urgent. Here’s what they have to say.

Donald Trump’s Plane Got Whacked at New York LaGuardia

by Gary Leff on November 30, 2018

Nov 30 2018

Donald Trump used to own a whole airline. He purchased the Eastern Shuttle in 1989 and renamed it the Trump Shuttle. He lost $100 million on the deal, and also lost big in a takeover attempt of American Airlines the same year. The Trump Shuttle is now the American Airlines shuttle.

Trump does still own a Boeing 757 (as well as a Cessna). He acquired the jet in 2011.

Air New Zealand’s Christmas Video Mocks Donald Trump

by Gary Leff on November 30, 2018

Nov 30 2018

Santa mistakenly e-mails one of the naughty kids on his list the entire database of naughty children. Armed with this information, the children convene the International Naughty Kids Summit “to tackle the threat of empty stockings.”

United’s CEO Gives Up His First Class Seat to an Elderly Nervous Flyer

by Gary Leff on November 30, 2018

Nov 30 2018

The passenger sharing the story, who describes herself as a loyal Delta customer and who was seated behind the woman in what was supposed to be Oscar Munoz’s seat, says this may have converted her into a lifelong United customer. And that, by the way, is how you win business — authentically, one customer at a time.

Why Airlines Should Charge Passengers to Use the Lavatory

Small Hotel Room Toiletries Will Be Illegal in One California City

What it Takes to Get a Free Frontier Airlines Meal and Several Rewards Cards Considering Changes

Hyatt’s New SLH Properties – By Redemption Category. Are They a Good Deal?

What’s Behind Higher Spending Requirements for Elite Status and Special Treats Coming to Centurion Lounges

If You Can’t Stand Each Other Please Don’t Fly Together

Now That United is Introducing Premium Economy,, How Are They Handling Awards and Upgrades?

Donald Trump’s Plane Got Whacked at New York LaGuardia

Air New Zealand’s Christmas Video Mocks Donald Trump

United’s CEO Gives Up His First Class Seat to an Elderly Nervous Flyer

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About Gary Leff

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